A man in Halifax reported experiencing a racially motivated incident where another individual deliberately hit his car with bagpipes and hurled racist remarks at him. Shalu Shajan, who is an immigrant from India, recounted the event that took place when he parked his car on Lower Water Street in downtown Halifax. The man with bagpipes struck Shajan’s side mirror and then the trunk of his car. This led to a confrontation during which the aggressor used racist language, telling Shajan to “go back to your country.”

Eyewitness Raven Fox observed the altercation and confirmed the use of racist language, describing a tense exchange where the aggressor made derogatory remarks. Fox mentioned the man specifically targeting Shajan’s car intentionally. Shajan felt threatened as the man continued to shout racial slurs, prompting him to consider calling the authorities. Eventually, the aggressor walked away towards the waterfront, but Shajan managed to take a photo of him and reported the incident to the Halifax Regional Police, including their hate crime unit.

The police acknowledged the report and are investigating whether the incident qualifies as a hate crime. Shajan cooperated with the authorities, expressing his belief that the aggressor’s actions were motivated by hate. He also indicated his willingness to press charges to ensure accountability. Data from Statistics Canada shows a concerning rise in reported hate crimes against South Asian Canadians in recent years, underscoring the severity of such incidents.

While Shajan has encountered racist comments before, this incident marked the first time he felt physically threatened. By sharing his story on social media, he aimed to assist the police investigation and prevent similar incidents from happening to others. The Indo-Canadian Association of Nova Scotia expressed deep concern over the incident, emphasizing the broader impact of hate incidents on affected individuals and communities.